Netflix introduces The Diamond Heist, a three-part docuseries produced by Guy Ritchie and Lightbox Media, exploring one of the most audacious crimes in British history. Set in summer 2000, the documentary unpacks a £350 million plot that could have rewritten the record books, if it had succeeded. A group of South-East London criminals set their sights on the Millennium Star Diamond, the second-largest flawless diamond in the world, housed in London’s newly opened Millennium Dome. Their plan? Smash through the security barriers with a bulldozer, snatch the diamond in broad daylight, and escape via speedboat down the Thames.
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But the Flying Squad, one of the UK’s most elite law enforcement teams, had other plans. This documentary goes beyond the headlines, offering an inside look at both sides of the operation. The criminals behind the heist share their perspectives on how they planned the robbery, why they believed it would work, and what went wrong. Meanwhile, the officers from the Flying Squad reveal the intricate surveillance and countermeasures that led to one of the most dramatic foiled heists in history.
From its planning stages to the final moments when everything unraveled, The Diamond Heist unpacks every layer of this high-stakes game between criminals and law enforcement. The series gives a rare look at firsthand accounts, showing how a plan built on confidence and precision turned into an operation that ended in arrests rather than riches.
The Millennium Dome robbery stands out not just because of its scale but because of how it was supposed to unfold. Using brute force and speed rather than stealth, the gang planned to overpower security in plain sight, making a clean getaway with an unmatched diamond haul.
Their confidence stemmed from previous success, but law enforcement had been watching closely. As the criminals fine-tuned their strategy, the Flying Squad had already devised its counterattack, turning the would-be escape route into a carefully laid trap. The Diamond Heist reveals the tension, close calls, and decisive moments that led to an outcome none of the criminals anticipated.
Bringing this gripping crime story to life, The Diamond Heist features an experienced team of producers and contributors who have built a reputation for delivering raw, engaging narratives. Jessie Vile directs the series, with Suzanne Lavery serving as executive producer and Guy Ritchie taking on the role of co-executive producer. Stewart Armstrong and Joe John produce the project under Lightbox Media, a company known for its investigative storytelling.
The series features key contributors, including Lee Wenham, Beth Wenham, John Swinfield (Swini), Martin Heslop KC, and Neil Wallis. Their firsthand accounts add depth to the story, bringing viewers inside the minds of those involved in both the crime and its prevention.
The Diamond Heist premieres April 16 on Netflix, offering an edge-of-your-seat look at a crime that nearly reshaped the history of high-stakes robberies. With access to those who lived it, both the criminals and the officers who stopped them, the series promises an intense, gripping account of a heist that almost became legend.
